Rob Smyth's Blog, page 85

September 10, 2021

England v India fifth Test called off after Covid cases – live reaction

News, reaction and more after Test series finale called offOld Trafford Test called off over Covid safety fearsGet in touch! Email Tim or tweet him here

Thanks Rob and morning everyone. What a sad morning it is: five days’ cricket swept away by one, possibly rather hasty decision. The game is off, but the blame game has only just begun.

That’s quite enough from me. Tim de Lisle will keep you updated for the next few hours, and I’ll be back

during the afternoon session
later. Bye!

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Published on September 10, 2021 01:21

September 6, 2021

India beat England by 157 runs in fourth Test – as it happened

England were overwhelmed by a ferocious Indian bowling performance, led by the awesome Jasprit Bumrah, on a pulsating final day at the Oval

33rd over: England 78-0 (Burns 31, Hameed 44) Kohli may be looking intense, but he’s not attacking. For Umesh Yadav, bowling to Haseeb Hameed, he has just two slips and no gully, and the only faint hint of funk is a short midwicket. Yadav bowls at the stumps and Hameed has no trouble blocking before tucking the last ball for a single.

The players are out there and Virat Kohli is addressing the Indian huddle. You can guess the rest, as Bryan Ferry once sang: he’s got an intense look on his face.

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Published on September 06, 2021 09:20

September 5, 2021

England v India: fourth Test, day four – as it happened

Another thrilling, topsy-turvy day at the Oval ended with England on 77 for nought, needing another 291 runs for an extraordinary victory

99th over: India 287-3 (Kohli 32, Jadeja 16) Robinson, who has removed Kohli three times, very nearly does so again with a textbook away-swinger that comes bearing bounce as well as movement. Next ball, Kohli retorts with a dab for three, and Jadeja, like a good second fiddle, takes the hint by glancing for four. And that’s the fifty partnership, out of nowhere, off 18 overs. England badly need a wicket.

98th over: India 280-3 (Kohli 29, Jadeja 12) Anderson is bowling 82-83mph, still getting some lift, and he gives Jadeja a bruise on the arm, just above the elbow. Michael Holding reckons he was quicker than usual yesterday, 85-86mph, though it brought him no wickets. In the crowd, the cameras find a girl of about eight holding up a sign. “Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy,” it says, “win me win me win me my first Test match.” If that doesn’t spur the old boy on, I don’t know what will.

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Published on September 05, 2021 10:54

September 4, 2021

Sharma gives India edge over England: fourth Test, day three – as it happened

A magnificent hundred from Rohit Sharma put India on top despite a double strike by Ollie Robinson with the new ball

19th over: India 50-0 (Rohit 26, Rahul 23) Anderson beats Rohit with a lovely delivery that straightens from a fourth-stump line. He’s made a decent start, with a hint - nay, a suggestion - of movement. I think it’s seam rather than swing, though it’s hard to be sure.

“Delayed reading your preamble when my eye caught this excellent piece,” says Brian Withington. “Am now reflexively reminiscing about the Pine Barrens episode (and wondering what gabagool tastes like). I wonder if Tony Soprano might have appreciated the subtle rhythms and occasional high drama of Test cricket? And what can the Sopranos teach us about a potentially decisive day four of an Oval Test match?”

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Published on September 04, 2021 10:03

September 3, 2021

India finish day two of fourth Test 56 runs behind England – as it happened

Ollie Pope made 81 at the Oval to give England a first-innings lead of 99, before India’s openers reduced the deficit to 56 at the close

19th over: England 54-4 (Malan 26, Pope 1) The new batsman is Ollie Pope, who is back in the side after injury. He’s usually busy at the crease, whatever the match situation, and he shovels his first ball into the leg side for a single. Pope had a desperate time in India earlier this year, though that was mainly against Ravichandran Ashwin.

Umesh Yadav strikes with his fourth ball! The nightwatchman Craig Overton has a windy woof outside off stump and edges to first slip, where Virat Kohli takes a sharp catch at head height. That’s a good wicket for India because Overton can bat.

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Published on September 03, 2021 10:43

September 2, 2021

England lose Root late on after bowling India out for 191 on day one of the fourth Test – as it happened

The dismissal of Joe Root leaves things relatively even at The Oval on day one

Two changes for India: Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav replace Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami, who both have niggles. Virat Kohli looked thrilled when the first follow-up question was about Ravichandran Ashwin’s absence. He said Jadeja was preferred because England have a number of left-handers and India like the match-ups. I know.

And why not? Virat Kohli says he would have bowled first as well.

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Published on September 02, 2021 10:48

August 28, 2021

West Ham 2-2 Crystal Palace and more: Premier League clockwatch – as it happened

Conor Gallagher scored twice to deny the leaders West Ham, Everton won at Brighton and Brentford continued their unbeaten start to the season

5.23pm BST

That’s it for today’s clockwatch, and what a

n endearing
shambes it was. Thanks for your company and emails - please join Will Unwin for the big one at Anfield.

5.20pm BST

West Ham 2-2 Crystal Palace

And Jacob Steinberg watched an equally entertaining 2-2 at the London Stadium.

5.19pm BST

Newcastle 2-2 Southampton

Louise Taylor was at St James’ Park to watch a cracking match that included two goals in second-half injury time.

5.18pm BST

Aston Villa 1-1 Brentford

Paul Doyle, without doubt my favourite bald football writer, was at Villa Park to see Brentford get another excellent point away from home.

5.11pm BST

Brighton 0-2 Everton Sam Dalling was at the Amex Stadium to watch Everton continue their terrific start under Rafa Benitez.

5.07pm BST

Although Norwich lost, the fact they scored a goal means that Arsenal are bottom of the nascent Premier League table. I take no pleasure in conveying this information.

5.03pm BST

Still want more? In that case, you can follow the build-up to Liverpool v Chelsea with Will Unwin.

5.00pm BST

The final scores in our featured games

Premier League

4.59pm BST

Dundee United 0-2 Hearts

“The last time Robbie Neilson was at Tannadice I applauded him off the field,” writes Simon McMahon. “Today I questioned his parentage. I’m not proud of it, but such is football.”

4.59pm BST

And an ultimately comfortable win for in-form QPR, who go second in the table.

4.58pm BST

A comfortable win for the leaders Fulham, who gave high-flying Stoke an unwelcome dose of reality.

4.58pm BST

Three defeats out of three for Norwich - but they played really well at times in this game and it’s premature to say this is 2019-20 all over again.

4.57pm BST

James Ward-Prowse’s emphatic 96th-minute penalty earns Southampton a deserved draw.

4.56pm BST

Peep peep! Brentford’s unbeaten start continues after an honourable draw at Villa Park.

4.56pm BST

Another excellent result for Rafa Benitez’s Everton. Demarai Gray scored a fine goal, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin ignored a Richarlison tantrum to score the second from the penalty spot.

4.55pm BST

James Ward-Prowse is as James Ward-Prowse does.

4.54pm BST

PENALTY TO SOUTHAMPTON!

4.54pm BST

A cracking game at the London Stadium comes to an end. Michail Antonio made the first goal for Pablo Fornals and scored the second, but Conor Gallagher equalised twice for an impressive Palace.

4.53pm BST

VAR CHECK FOR A SOUTHAMPTON PENALTY! Lee Hendrie, on Sky Sports, thinks this will be given. Lascelles cleaned out Adam Armstrong, APPARENTLY.

4.52pm BST

“Is it called clockwatch,” says Harvey Mayne, “because you can’t see the football?”

Arf, very good. We’re actually going to change it next week to BLOODYLAWABIDINGCITIZENWATCHINGACLOCK - LIVE!

4.51pm BST

West Ham 2-2 Crystal Palace Marc Guehi misses a terrific chance to win it for Palace, heading over from Conor Gallagher’s cross.

4.50pm BST

Allan Saint-Maximin, the wonderful Allan Saint-Maximin, has

won it for Newcastle
put Newcastle in front!

4.47pm BST

Aston Villa 1-1 Brentford After a very lively start, this match has petered out in the second half.

4.45pm BST

The evening game is a humdinger: Liverpool v Chelsea. And Harvey Elliott, 18, starts for Liverpool. Get all the team news with Will Unwin.

4.43pm BST

NO GOAL! Norwich 1-2 Leicester Todd Cantwell has been ruled offside. He didn’t touch the ball, but was apparently interfering with play. How? You tell me, you’re watching the bloody games!

4.42pm BST

VAR CHECK! Kenny McLean has scored for Norwich at Leicester, heading in from a corner, but it may be disallowed for an apparent offside against Todd Cantwell.

4.40pm BST

“Crystal Palace have been really good in the second half,” says Neill Brown. “Perhaps recently retired ex-Arsenal midfielders can learn to coach a team and not just destroy decades of proud history?”

For heaven’s sake, man, let it go. David Platt left Forest 20 years ago!

4.38pm BST

Marc Albrighton, who is only playing because of Ayoze Perez’s suspension, has smashed Leicester back in front at Carrow Road.

4.36pm BST

QPR’s superb start to the season - their superb 2021 for that matter - continues. Yoann Barbet has put them 2-0 up against Coventry, a win that will move them up to second in the Championship for the next few hours at least. (West Brom play at Peterborough tonight.)

4.35pm BST

“Currently watching Arsenal Fan TV,” says Yash Gupta. “In football-watching terms, does that count?”

What is this excrescence of which you speak?

4.34pm BST

The substitute Nathan Redmond’s excellent cross is finished by Mohamed Elyounoussi. Southampton haven’t been as dominant in the second half but overall they deserve that equaliser.

4.32pm BST

Alexsandar Mitrovic gets his usual goal, tapping in from two yards after good play from Decordova-Reid and Wilson. Fulham will stay top of the league.

4.31pm BST

Latest scores

Premier League

4.30pm BST

Conor Gallagher gets his second! He sent Craig Dawson off to another postcode with a Cruyff turn before beating Lukasz Fabianski. It sounds like a fantastic goal, though I’’m not sure why I’m bothering as you lot have probably seen it already.

4.28pm BST

The substitute Lyndon Dykes has thrashed promotion contenders QPR in front.

4.27pm BST

Michail Antonio continues his magnificent form, muscling Joachim Andersen aside to put West Ham back in front. No strategically placed cardboard cut-out this time, but a very important goal for West Ham. As things stand, they’re top of the Premier League.

4.26pm BST

Norwich 1-1 Leicester Norwich are hanging on a little bit at Carrow Road, it says here. A draw would be a decent result for them, especially as the fixture list is a bit kinder after the international break.

4.24pm BST

Aston Villa 1-1 Brentford “Early candidate for worst play-acting of the season by Brentford’s Canos,” says Chris N. “He deliberately ran into El Ghazi, who was standing still, and went down clutching his face after light shoulder to shoulder action. Good player, Canos - he should stick to his day job.”

WHY IS EVERYONE APART FROM ME WATCHING THE FOOTBALL!

4.23pm BST

Brighton 0-2 Everton Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a penalty at Leeds last week, so I’m not sure why Richarlison tried to take this one off him. Thankfully for Everton, Richarlison didn’t get the chance to do the Mirallas.

4.18pm BST

As things stand - I know, I know - Everton are second in the league, behind West Ham on goal difference.

4.17pm BST

Conor Gallagher, on loan from Chelsea, scores Crystal Palace’s first goal under Patrick Vieira. Palace have been much better in the second half, according to reports.

4.16pm BST

Calvert-Lewin scores! Richarlison behaved like an eejit, by all accounts, but Calvert-Lewin kept his cool and did the necessary.

4.16pm BST

PENALTY TO EVERTON! There’s a bit of a row between Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin over who should take it.

4.15pm BST

Fulham’s brilliant start under Marco Silva continues.

4.15pm BST

Callum Wilson has headed Newcastle into the lead!

4.14pm BST

“I would stand toe to toe with anyone who dare suggest you are phoning in this clockwatch,” says Ian Copestake, “but are you perhaps being informed of the details by people phoning them in to you?”

I’M A LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN!

4.10pm BST

Brighton 0-1 Everton It sounds like Everton are under a lot of pressure at the Amex Stadium, where Jordan Pickford has made a fine save from Pascal Gross’s deflected free-kick.

4.08pm BST

West Ham 1-0 Crystal Palace Said Benrahma has missed a good chance, shooting straight at Vicente Guaita.

4.06pm BST

Peep peep! The second halves are under way.

3.59pm BST

“I don’t know how you’ve managed to not mention the assist by Troy Parrott for MK Dons today,” says Niall Mullen. “The young Irishman is tearing it up in League 1. Perhaps City went in for the wrong Tottenham striker?”

WHY IS EVERYONE APART FROM ME WATCHING LIVE FOOTBALL?

3.55pm BST

Half-time reading

3.51pm BST

Peep peep! It’s half time in the 3pm kick-offs, and here are the scores in our featured matches:

Premier League

3.46pm BST

West Ham 1-0 Crystal Palace

“Antonio and Fornals have just Romario and Bebeto’d West Ham into the lead!” says Neill Brown. It sounds like a pretty glorious goal, eh.

3.45pm BST

Everton lead at the Amex Stadium! Demarai Gray, an early contender for bargain of the season, has scored another fine goal to put them ahead.

3.44pm BST

Norwich equalise with a controversial penalty, tucked away by Teemu Pukki.

3.41pm BST

West Ham take the lead with a beautifully worked goal. Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio sliced the Palace defence open, allowing Fornals to score from close range. I think.

3.38pm BST

Brighton 0-0 Everton “I would love to send you anadjective-laden description of the lovely football being displayed in the Everton match,” says Mary Waltz, “but it has largely been a lot of pointless knocking about leading to nothing.”

At least you can still take the positives.

3.38pm BST

Aston Villa 1-1 Brentford Rico Henry has missed a really good chance for Brentford, shooting wide from Ivan Toney’s pass. Apparently.

3.31pm BST

West Ham 0-0 Crystal Palace West Ham are on top, and Clinton Morrison on Sky Sports reckons it’s a matter of time before they score.

3.29pm BST

Brighton 0-0 Everton Andros Townsend has been denied by a smart save from Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez, it says here.

3.24pm BST

Newcastle 0-0 Southampton Moussa Djenepo has just missed an open goal for Southampton, who are well on top at St James’ Park. It sounds like the attacking right-back Tino Livramento is having another cracking game.

3.23pm BST

Championship

3.22pm BST

The latest scores in our featured games

Premier League

3.21pm BST

Aston Villa 1-1 Brentford The 3pm games aren’t televised in England, so we’re not able to see any of the goals. But I’ve tried to imagine Emi Buendia’s equaliser based on the various descriptions online. In my head, Danny Ings played a one-two on the led and fed the ball into Buendia in the D. He controlled the ball with a Cruyff turn, had another touch and then flashed a shot into the far corner. That’s how I imagine it, anyway.

3.16pm BST

Aston Villa 1-1 Brentford I’ve just seen Ivan Toney’s goal, which came to me in a daydream. It was a lovely finish, sidefooted nonchalantly into the top corner when the ball was rolled across the area.

3.13pm BST

“I’m an Arsenal fan and still like football,” REVEALS Neill Brown. “As I’m overseas, I have the (legal) pick of 3pm kick off’s to watch and I’ve opted for West Ham v Palace. Forgive me if I have a short memory but the Hammers fans love their new stadium, don’t they? What a lovely, positive atmosphere.”

3.13pm BST

Emi Buendia equalises with an outstanding goal, his first for Villa.

3.11pm BST

Norwich 0-1 Leicester This is a worry for Leicester: Ricardo, who was out for a long time last year with a knee injury, has gone off with what looks like the same problem. Timothy Castagne has replaced him. Leicester have been desperately unlucky with injuries since the start of the last season.

3.08pm BST

A mistake from the debutant Brandon Williams leads to an early goal for Jamie Vardy, finished emphatically from Ricardo’s cross, it says here.

3.08pm BST

Ivan Toney has scored his first Premier League goal to give Brentford the lead at Villa Park. It was a beauty, by all accounts, sidefooted into the top corner.

3.07pm BST

Harry Wilson has given Fulham an early lead in the top-of-the-table match at Craven Cottage.

3.03pm BST

And here are highlights of the aforementioned mismatch at the Etihad

3.01pm BST

Peep peep! The 3pms are under way, and here are the latest scores in our featured games:

Premier League

2.56pm BST

Here’s Richard Jolly’s report on a miserable afternoon for Arsenal Football Club

2.56pm BST

“Everton have not won away to Brighton since Kevin Sheedyy scored a brace in April 1983,” says Matt Burtz. “It’s not quite as bad as it looks due to the two clubs not being in the same league for most of that time, but all streaks have to come to an end at some point, right?”

The Baltimore Orioles concur.

2.27pm BST

Championship The other lunchtime kick-off has finished Cardiff 1-2 Bristol City. Andreas Weimann scored both goals for Bristol City, who have won at Cardiff for the third season in a row.

2.25pm BST

The kind of result that saves a manager from the sacked. Brennan Johnson’s late equaliser for Nottingham Forest in an intense, emotional derby may have saved Chris Hughton’s job.

2.22pm BST

Full time: Manchester City 5-0 Arsenal The kind of the result that gets a manager sacked. With friends like Pep, who needs friends?

2.14pm BST

“Afternoon Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “ Game of the day in Scotland is at Tannadice, where former United and now Hearts manager Robbie Neilson will be assured of a ‘warm’ welcome from the United fans on an absolutely glorious day in Dundee. United are aiming for their third league win on the bounce which hasn’t happened since, well, the last time they did it.

“Today’s other Scottish Premier fixtures are Hibs v Livingston and Motherwell v Dundee, while tomorrow sees the battle for the minor places intensify as Rangers host Celtic. Kilmarnock v Inverness is the pick of the games in the Scottish Championship.”

2.14pm BST

There’s been a fifth goal at the Etihad. I won’t insult your intelligence by telling you which team has scored it.

2.13pm BST

Forest have equalised with eight minutes remaining! A left-wing cross bounced across the area to Brennan Johnson, who rattled a low shot that squirmed through the diving Roos.

2.10pm BST

77 min: Derby 1-0 Nottingham Forest Still 1-0 to Derby, as you’ll know having read the scoreline at the start of this entry. But both teams have had chances in the last few minutes. Jack Stretton’s close-range shot was going in until it took a slight deflection off the knee of Scott McKenna, and at the other end Lewis Grabban’s clever flick was well saved by Kelle Roos.

2.07pm BST

Our team to face Crystal Palace this afternoon looks like this!

COME ON YOU IRONS! ⚒#WHUCRY | @betway pic.twitter.com/KOIUOyPnCY

COME ON YOU PALACE#CPFC | #WHUCRY

2.06pm BST

◾ Two changes to last Saturday
◾ Williams and McLean start
◾ Tzolis unavailable pic.twitter.com/dteiNy7teb

One change for #NorLei as Marc Albrighton comes into the starting XI

Team news sponsored by @FBS_news. pic.twitter.com/33sjjTgA9d

2.05pm BST

-

HWTL!

⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/Ws5xgrb5cV

@KWPeters
@Moielyo

Two changes to the #SaintsFC team facing #NUFC: pic.twitter.com/0hG9Vneoou

2.04pm BST

TEAM NEWS! Here's our XI to take on the Toffees in the @PremierLeague.

https://t.co/S3j1TIedJv ✘ #BHAFC ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/DhoTGaw4hQ

Your Everton team for #BHAEVE pic.twitter.com/42aDeT7zOw

2.03pm BST

The exciting 17-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka starts for Villa.

Here’s how we line-up for #AVLBRE… pic.twitter.com/HedMawG7As

Ghoddos replaces Onyeka

Jensen and Baptiste named on the bench#BrentfordFC #AVLBRE pic.twitter.com/45s67SX6mo

1.50pm BST

We’ll have team news for the 3pm games shortly. In the Championship, it’s still Wayne Rooney’s Derby County 1-0 Nottingham Forest with half an hour remaining.

1.45pm BST

Get your squad sheets here

1.43pm BST

There’s been a fourth goal at the Etihad. I won’t insult your intelligence by telling you which team has scored it.

1.34pm BST

Manchester City 3-0 Arsenal Ilkay Gundogan, Ferran Torres and Gabriel Jesus all scored as City took Arsenal apart in the first half. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Granit Xhaka was sent off for a tackle on Joao Cancelo.

Those of a sadistic disposition can follow the second half with Will Unwin.

1.33pm BST

Derby 1-0 Nottingham Forest Tom Lawrence’s goal has put Derby ahead at half-time in the East Midlands derby. It was made by a cracking pass from Craig Forsyth - but he was pretty lucky to still be on the pitch after plunging his studs into Philip Zinckernagel’s testicles. None of the officials saw the incident.

1.30pm BST

Hello and welcome to another busy Saturday afternoon clockwatch. We’ll be concentrating on the five 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League and a handful of matches in the Championship. The headline game is at the London Stadium: West Ham United, who were top of the table before the Arsenal roadshow arrived in Manchester at lunchtime, play Crystal Palace.

Brighton, another team who have started the season with two wins, are at home to Everton - and if that match is half as exciting as last season’s corresponding fixture, we’re all in serious trouble.

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Published on August 28, 2021 09:23

August 27, 2021

India reach 215-2, trail England by 139: third Test, day three – as it happened

With Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli at the crease, India trail England by 139 after an excellent third day with bat and ball

131st over: England 431-8 (Overton 32, Robinson 0) Ravindra Jadeja starts at the other end to Robinson, who survives a couple of gentle LBW shouts. With Jadeja bowling over the wicket, both deliveries pitched outside leg stump. The general gloom is such that the lights are coming on, which could be good news for Jimmy Anderson.

130th over: England 431-8 (Overton 32, Robinson 0) A confident start from Overton, who hits the last two balls of Shami’s over for four. The first was a hearty back-foot slap through the covers, the second a crisp flick thorugh midwicket.

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Published on August 27, 2021 10:21

August 26, 2021

Spurs 3-0 Paços de Ferreira (agg: 3-1), AZ 2-1 Celtic (agg: 2-3) – as it happened

Harry Kane received a standing ovation after scoring twice to put Spurs through to the group stage of the Europa Conference League

9.50pm BST

That’s all for our bumper Euro clockwatch. I’ll leave you with Paul Doyle’s report on Harry Kane’s successful return - goodnight!

9.38pm BST

The final scores in our featured games

Europa League play-offs

9.36pm BST

Spurs cruise into the group stage of the Europa Conference League. Two clinical finishes from Harry Kane in the first half put them in control of the tie, and an own goal sealed it. It was a comfortable night for Spurs, who also hit the woodwork three or four times.

9.34pm BST

Shamrock Rovers dominated all the main statistics bar one, the most important of all.

9.33pm BST

A bad night for Aberdeen, who were well beaten by Qarabag.

9.32pm BST

You can’t really call this a consolation goal, can you.

9.25pm BST

“That first Kane goal was pretty amusing,” writes J.R in Illinois. “Not the part where he kicked the ball into the net, the bit before that. After Winks slid in and won the ball an opposing player charged towards him like a madman and Ben Davies just calmly took a little teentsy step in front of the dude and just shunted him right into the ground. I’ve re-watched it several times and laughed each time. Highly recommended.”

' .

@PremierSportsTV pic.twitter.com/o8bpgK5yVn

9.24pm BST

The draw for the group stages of the Europa League and Europa Conference League take place tomorrow lunchtime.

9.23pm BST

9.20pm BST

78 min: Tottenham 3-0 Pacos de Ferreira (agg: 3-1) The substitute Steven Bergwijn has just slapped a shot against the post for Spurs, who have scored three and might have had six.

9.16pm BST

The latest/final scores in our featured games

Europa League play-offs

9.15pm BST

72 min: Tottenham 3-0 Pacos de Ferreira Harry Kane, who scored twice in the first half, leaves the field to a very warm ovation.

9.13pm BST

Giovani Lo Celso’s free-kick is headed into his own net by Douglas Tanque, and that should be enough for Spurs to move into the group stages of the new Europa Conference League.

9.12pm BST

Not even the boys of 83 could save this one.

9.10pm BST

Tottenham 2-0 Pacos de Ferreira (agg: 2-1) Bryan Gil has missed a good chance to make it safe for Spurs, dragging a left-footed shot just wide of the far post.

9.09pm BST

Celtic are through! Kyogo Furuhashi’s early goal, which put Celtic 3-0 up on aggregate, was ultimately decisive. Alkmaar came back to lead 2-1 on the night, and Celtic had to work so hard to repel them for the last hour. They managed it, just.

9.05pm BST

90 min: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Celtic Four minutes of added time in Alkmaar, where Celtic are hanging on desperately.

9.05pm BST

The latest/final scores in our featured games

Europa League play-offs

9.01pm BST

86 min: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Cetic (agg: 2-3) It’s been a fraught night in Alkmaar, but Celtic are tantalisingly close to a Europa League place.

9.00pm BST

It looks like Shamrock Rovers are also heading out of the Europa Conference League.

8.54pm BST

79 min: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Celtic (agg: 2-3) What a chance for Alkmaar! The 17-year-old Ernest Poku has missed a glorious chance, slicing the ball wide from six yards.

8.53pm BST

St Johnstone’s European run is over. They were well beaten in the end and finished with nine men after losing their heads a little in the second half. It’ll sting tonight, and for the next few days, but in time this match will become nothing more than a postscript to a fairytale.

8.47pm BST

73 min: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Celtic (agg: 2-3) Bruno Martins Indi has missed a good chance to bring the tie level, heading just wide from a corner.

8.44pm BST

Marko Raguz sends Clark the wrong way, a very confident penalty, and LASK are heading into the Europa Conference League group stages. For all the anger at McDiarmid Park - and there’s a helluva lot of it - LASK have been much the better team in the second half.

8.43pm BST

St Johnstone 0-1 LASK It has gone horribly wrong for St Johnstone. Shaun Rooney has been penalised for pulling back the goalscorer Balic in the area - and he was given a second yellow card, which means St Johnstone are down to nine men.

8.41pm BST

A reminder of the earlier Champions League draw, which was a treat for those who are partial to hype and narratives.

8.38pm BST

AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Celtic (agg: 2-3) Just past the hour mark in Alkmaar, where Celtic were hanging on a little bit but have calmed the game down with some good possession in the last few minutes. The abolition of the away goals rule makes such a difference to this tie. Last season, a team in Celtic’s would have had a two-goal cushion; this year Alkmaar need only one goal to take the tie to extra-time.

8.34pm BST

St Johnstone 0-1 LASK (agg: 0-1) St Johnstone are down to 10 men! David Wotherspoon, who has only just come on as sub, has been sent off for flattening Florian Flecker with an elbow to the face. The crowd aren’t happy but it was a clear red-card offence - he crunched him right in the kisser with the point of his elbow.

8.33pm BST

Half-times: Aberdeen 0-2 Qarabag (agg: 0-3), Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Flora (agg: 2-4), Harry Kane 2-0 Pacos de Ferreira (agg: 2-1)

8.31pm BST

A huge blow to St Johnstone! Husein Balic, on as a substitute, has put LASK ahead with a superb finish. He took one touch to shift the ball away from Shaun Rooney, 10 yards from goal, and then lashed the ball into the roof of the net. Zander Clark had no chance.

8.29pm BST

How we took the lead in the tie...

@PremierSportsTV pic.twitter.com/4Qpx2vLWyM

8.27pm BST

69 min: St Johnstone 0-0 LASK Middleton’s snapshot is beaten away by Alexander Schlager! It was close enough to him for it to be a comfortable save, though Middleton caught it very well from the edge of the area.

8.24pm BST

St Johnstone 0-0 LASK Saying which, St Johnstone almost take the lead after a scramble in the LASK penalty box. Glenn Middleton, on loan from Rangers, had a couple of shots blocked. The first, in particular, looked like a crucial bit of defending.

8.22pm BST

The latest scores in our featured games

Europa League play-offs

8.22pm BST

St Johnstone 0-0 LASK (agg: 1-1) Still goalless but it’s looking a bit worrying for St Johnstone, who have been under the pump since half-time. Husein Balic, one of the LASK substitutes, has just swished a volley over the bar.

8.20pm BST

Harry Kane gets his second, finishing confidently from close range after Pacos de Ferreira were punished for trying to play the ball out from the back.

8.18pm BST

Tottenham 1-0 Pacos de Ferreira (agg: 1-1) Bryan Gil has hit the post for Spurs with a deflected shot. They have been much the better team, and it feels like a second goal is in the post.

8.15pm BST

St Johnstone 0-0 LASK (agg: 1-1) It’s getting very tense at McDiarmid Park, where Zander Clark has just made a fine save from Hyun-Seok Hong’s snapshot. Fifty-seven minutes gone.

8.10pm BST

Here’s Harry Kane’s goal, scored with the minimum of fuss.

' .

@PremierSportsTV pic.twitter.com/o8bpgK5yVn

8.09pm BST

“I never tire of seeing that final angle of Essien’s screamer,” says Simon McMahon, referring to some chit chat earlier this evening. “Or the classic, imperial phase Mourinho celebration. He’s planning something already for when Roma beat Tottenham in the final of the UEFA Conference League, isn’t he?”

He’s up to something; has been for the last six years. I’ve no idea what it is, but he’s definitely up to something.

8.06pm BST

Half time: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Celtic (agg: 2-3)

Kyogo Furuhashi gave Celtic the perfect start, putting them 3-0 ahead on aggregate, but mistakes from Joe Hart and then Carl Starfelt have made things very interesting in Alkmaar - a bit too interesting for Celtic’s taste.

8.04pm BST

Kady, who made the goal for Jaime Romero last week, has put Qarabag 3-0 up on aggregate against Aberdeen, whose Europa Conference League dreams are dying a death.

7.58pm BST

The latest/final scores in our featured games

Europa League play-offs

7.57pm BST

Tural Bayramov has put Aberdeen in a bit of bother at Pittodrie.

7.55pm BST

Nine minutes. Harry Kane has put Spurs ahead on the night, and level on aggregate, with an expert finish from Bryan Gil’s precise cutback. The reaction from both Kane and the Spurs fans suggests all is well with their relationship.

7.53pm BST

Jose Mourinho’s Roma have cruised into the next round of the Europa Conference League. They beat Trabzonspor 3-0 at home to complete a 5-1 aggregate victory. Tammy Abraham started but wasn’t among the goals. They were scored by Bryan Cristante, Nicolo Zaniolo - his first since his return from long-term injury - and Stephan El Shaarawy.

7.50pm BST

Half time: St Johnstone 0-0 LASK (agg: 1-1) A fast, furious half ends goalless. There’s no away goals rule any more, so as things stand it’s going to extra time.

7.47pm BST

Tottenham 0-0 Pacos de Ferreira Harry Kane almost scores after 15 seconds! He was put through by a lovely long pass from Cristian Romero but, after killing the ball immaculately on the run, he lifted a shot over the keeper and just over the bar.

7.46pm BST

Things are getting very tight in Alkmaar, where an own goal from Carl Starfelt has put Alkmaar ahead on the night.

7.37pm BST

Full time: Lincoln Red Imps 3-1 Riga (agg: 3-2) History is made! Lincoln Red Imps become the first Gibraltarian side to reach the group stage of a European competition. Kian Ronan sealed a famous victory in added time after Roy Chipolina, their 38-year-old captain, had put them ahead on aggregate in extra-time. Outstanding stuff.

The master of headers... @RoyC14 pic.twitter.com/hzYWX4m4c5

7.31pm BST

St Johnstone 0-0 LASK (agg: 1-1) Still goalless after 27 minutes at McDiarmid Park, though Jason Kerr came close to giving St Johnstone the lead with a header from a corner that flashed just wide.

7.28pm BST

Europa Conference League There’s a cracking story unfolding in Gibraltar, where Lincoln Red Imps have gone 2-1 up (3-2 on aggregate) against the Latvian champions Riga. They are four minutes away from reaching the group stgaes of a European competition for the first time.

7.23pm BST

Quite a start in Alkmaar. Kyogo Furuhashi put Celtic 3-0 up on aggregate with an early goal, but Zakaria Aboukhlal equalised three minutes later after a howler from Joe Hart.

6.56pm BST

Harry Kane starts for the first time this season, and will wear the captain’s armband. The official Uefa site has Spurs playing 4-3-3, but a few of you have pointed out that it could be a 3-4-3 with Doherty and Sessegnon as wing-backs.

Tottenham (possible 4-3-3) Gollini; Doherty, Romero, Dier, Davies; Lo Celso, Winks, Sessegnon; Lucas Moura, Kane, Gil.

6.46pm BST

Shamrock Rovers (3-5-2) Mannus; O’Brien, Lopes, Hoare; Finn, Watts, Mandroiu, O’Neill, Scales; Burke, Greene.

Flora (4-3-3) Igonen; Lilander, Seppik, Kuusk, Kallaste; Soomets, Vassiljev, Miller; Zenjov, Sappinen, Ojamaa.

6.44pm BST

Aberdeen (4-3-3) Lewis; Ramsay, Gallagher, Ross McCrorie, Mackenzie; Jenks, Brown, Ferguson; Ojo, Ramirez, Hayes.

Qarabag (4-2-3-1) Magomedaliyev; Bayramov, Medvedev, Medina, Huseynov; Garayev, Ibrahimli; Romero, Kady, Ibrahimli; Sheydaev.

6.39pm BST

St Johnstone (3-5-2) Clark; Rooney, Kerr, McCart; Brown, McCann, M Davidson, Middleton, Booth; O’Halloran, Kane.

LASK (3-4-3) A Schlager; Wiesinger, Andrade, Filipovic; Flecker, Hong, Michorl, Renner; Golginger, Schmidt, Karamoko.

6.31pm BST

A tough draw for Manchester City and Liverpool; less so for Chelsea and Manchester United.

6.25pm BST

I’m going to take a peedie break before the evening games begin. See you in half an hour or so!

6.24pm BST

AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3) Verhulst; Sugawara, Letschert, Martins Indi, Witry; Midtsjo, De Wit, Koopmeiners; Aboukhlal, Pavlidis, Karlsson.

Celtic (4-3-3) Hart; Ralston, Starfelt, Welsh, Taylor; Rogic, McGregor, Turnbull; Abada, Furuhashi, Christie.

6.24pm BST

Here’s more on that Champions League draw

6.24pm BST

Alexia Putellas of Barcelona and Jorginho of Chelsea. I’m slightly confused, as N’Golo Kante was the midfield of the year, but never mind.

6.19pm BST

Time for the last award: the players of the season. And the winners are...

6.18pm BST

In a surprising development, the coaches of the season are Lluis Cortes and Thomas Tuchel.

6.17pm BST

Oh, and Manchester City are playing PSG again, this time with Messi and possibly Ronaldo involved.

6.17pm BST

There’s no true Group of Death, though Liverpool’s is pretty rough. Still, you’d fancy all four English teams to go through. Manchester United might get a nasty surprise; I think the others will be fine.

6.14pm BST

Group D Internazionale, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sheriff Tiraspol.

6.14pm BST

Group E Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Benfica, Dynamo Kyiv.

6.13pm BST

Group H Chelsea, Juventus, Zenit and Malmo.

6.13pm BST

“Some friends and I used to have a lively pub debate over which player would make the best team if there were 10 of them in all outfield positions,” says Matt Dony. “The strength to defend, the skill to play on the wing, the composure to play in the centre, finishing ability, etc. Essien was always towards the top of my list. He could do everything. I just hated that he played for Chelsea.”

I honestly read that first sentence as ‘I used to have some friends’, and was intrigued to see how you’d managed to get five lines out of of such a sad opening.

6.12pm BST

Group A Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig and Club Brugge.

6.11pm BST

Group G Lille, Sevilla, Salzburg and VFL Wolfsburg.

6.10pm BST

Group B Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Porto and AC Milan.

I say!

6.09pm BST

Group C Sporting CP, Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, Besiktas.

6.08pm BST

Group F Villarreal, Manchester United, Atalanta and Young Boys.

6.07pm BST

“It’s just nice to see Michael Essien again,” says Niall Mullen. “What an absolute player he was.”

Overrated.

6.05pm BST

The forwards of the season are Jenni Hermoso (Barcelona) and Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund).

6.05pm BST

The team to avoid in Pot 4 are probably AC Milan. They could still be drawn against Manchester City or Liverpool, among others.

6.04pm BST

6.03pm BST

Porto join Atletico and Liverpool in Group B, which means Ajax go into Group C with Sporting and Dortmund.

6.03pm BST

FC Salzburg go into Group G, aka the Group of Life, with Lille and Seville.

6.02pm BST

Atalanta’s swashbucklers join Villarreal and Manchester United in an intriguing Group F

6.01pm BST

RB Leipzig join Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in an eye-catching Group A.

5.59pm BST

Next up are Zenit They are in Group H with Chelsea and Juventus.

5.58pm BST

Benfica join Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the inappropriately named Group E.

5.58pm BST

Rangers are through to the Europa League group stage after a match that we’ll be talking about for minutes.

5.57pm BST

The first team out of Pot 3 are... Shakhtar Donetsk, who join Internazionale and Real Madrid in Group D. What is this, 2020-21?

5.55pm BST

The midfielders of the season are N’Golo Kante of Chelsea and Alexia Putellas of Barcelona, who played that delightful pass for the third goal in the Champions League final.

5.52pm BST

Sevilla go into Group G with Lille, which means Manchester United meet their Europa League final conquerors Villarreal in Group F.

5.51pm BST

Barcelona are in Group E with Bayern Munich, who belted them 8-2 last year.

5.50pm BST

Juventus go into Group H and will play Chelsea.

5.49pm BST

Paris Saint-Germain are in with Manchester City!

5.48pm BST

Liverpool are in Group B with their old friends Atletico Madrid.

5.47pm BST

Real Madrid will meet Internazionale in Group D.

5.46pm BST

Borussia Dortmund join Sporting in Group C.

5.45pm BST

Branislav Ivanovic and another Chelsea hero, Michael Essien, are ready to draw the teams from Pot 2...

5.43pm BST

The Uefa defenders of the season are Irene Paredes of Paris Saint-Germain and Ruben Dias of Manchester City.

5.41pm BST

The teams from Pot 1 are being drawn by Chelsea hero and headlock specialist Branislav Ivanovic. And here they are:

Group A Manchester City

5.37pm BST

Alashkert 0-0 Rangers (agg: 0-1) Alashkert’s ten men ahve 13 minutes to score the goal that would take this tie to extra time.

5.34pm BST

The groups are divided into two colours: red for groups A-D, blue for groups E-H. It’s largely for TV reasons, and far too boring to explain. If you really want to know more, be my guest.

5.31pm BST

I take it all back: they are going to start the draw now. A reminder of the pots:

Pot 1 Chelsea, Villarreal, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Sporting CP, Lille.

5.30pm BST

The goalkeepers of the year are Edouard Mendy of Chelsea and Sandra Panos of Barcelona.

5.26pm BST

The Champions League draw is still hours away. They are slowly going through all the awards for last season’s men’s and women’s competitions, and why not.

5.23pm BST

Alashkert 0-0 Rangers (agg: 0-1) It’s still goalless in Armenia, with 27 minutes remaining. As things stand, Rangers are going through with a whimper.

5.16pm BST

Here’s more on the breaking news that Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy has been charged with four counts of rape between October 2020 and August 2021

5.14pm BST

The Uefa President’s Award - which recognises “outstanding achievements, professional excellence and exemplary personal qualities” - is shared by nine people who helped save the live of Christian Eriksen on that traumatic afternoon in Copenhagen.

Morten Boesen, Morten Skjoldager, Mogens Kreutzfeldt, Frederik Flensted, Anders Boesen, Peder Ersgaard, Jens Kleinefeld, Valentin Velikov and Simon Kjaer: thank you.

5.01pm BST

The usual rules apply - teams from the same country cannot be drawn together, and the draw has blatantly been fixed to favour that lot. It gives me a decent amount of pleasure to report that, despite those restrictions, there’s still plenty of scope for a group of death or two.

Pot 1 Chelsea, Villarreal, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Sporting CP, Lille.

4.59pm BST

Half time: Alashkert 0-0 Rangers (agg: 0-1) It hasn’t been a classic, but Rangers are on course for the group stages. They’re a goal up on aggregate and now a man up after James was sent off for deliberately dangling his leg so that it hit the sliding goalkeeper Ross McCrorie in the head. It was a pretty scandalous challenge.

4.57pm BST

Manchester City have suspended Benjamin Mendy after he was charged by police earlier today

Club statement.

4.48pm BST

A bit of transfer news, not entirely unrelated to today’s Champions League draw

4.42pm BST

Alashkert 0-0 Rangers (agg: 0-1) It’s still goalless in Armenia, but Rangers have been on top and now they are playing against ten men. The Brazilian James has been sent off for Alashkert, having received a second yellow card for a dangerous challenge on the Rangers keeper Ross McCrorie. It probably should have been a straight red, not that it matters.

4.30pm BST

Hello and welcome to a bumper European clockwatch. There’s all sorts going on tonight: the Champions League draw, the Europa League play-offs, the Europa Conference League play-offs and, if you’d like more salt in your stew, Nick Knowles’ Big House Clearout on Channel 5 at 8pm.

Most of the matches involving British and Irish clubs kick off after the Champions League draw, which starts (sic) at 5pm BST, but Covid-hit Rangers are under way in Armenia. After half an hour, it’s 0-0. You’re welcome. If it stays like this, Rangers will go through to the group stage.

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Published on August 26, 2021 13:50

August 23, 2021

West Ham’s Antonio scores twice after Ayoze Pérez red card – as it happened

An exhilarating, record-breaking performance from Michail Antonio inspired West Ham to a thumping 4-1 win over 10-man Leicester

10.15pm BST

Jacob Steinberg’s report has dropped, so I’ll leave you with that. Thanks for your company, bye!

10.15pm BST

Here’s the thoroughly likeable Michail Antonio

“It’s amazing! I’m so relieved. In the first half I was overdoing it, trying to get the goal [to break the record], but in the second half I didn’t let it affect me so much and I got two goals and an assist.

9.55pm BST

Peep peep! West Ham go top of the embryonic Premier League table after thumping ten-man Leicester at a delirious London Stadium. The star was Michail Antonio, who destroyed Leicester’s fragile defence. He scored two and made one - and in the process moved past Paolo Di Canio to become West Ham’s record Premier League goalscorer. Ayoze Perez’s red card in the first half didn’t help Leicester, but even at that stage West Ham were in control of the game. It was a quite exhilarating performance.

9.51pm BST

90 min Three minutes of added time.

9.49pm BST

88 min A double substitution for West Ham. Mark Noble and Andriy Yarmolenko replace the excellent Said Benrahma and the sensational Michail Antonio.

9.46pm BST

85 min That goal puts West Ham top of the nascent Premier League table. And they’ve scored eight times in two games.

9.46pm BST

The tireless Coufal moved down the right and flipped a hopeful cross into the middle. It bounced a little awkwardly behind Antonio, who improvised superbly to lob the ball into the space behind the defence. Schmeichel stayed in his six-yard box and that allowed Antonio to launch himself at the ball and stud it into the net.

9.44pm BST

He’s got another one!

9.44pm BST

83 min Antonio celebrated by cavorting with a cardboard cut-out of himself on the touchline. Sod it, might as well.

9.42pm BST

82 min Two more changes for Leicester: Kelechi Iheanacho and Boubakary Soumare replaces Vardy and Maddison.

9.41pm BST

It’s Antonio’s 48th goal in the Premier League, a new West Ham record, and boy does he deserve it. Rice played a one-two with Cresswell and clipped a low cross to the near post, where Antonio forced his way in front of Soyuncu to shield the ball. Then he moved back inside, onto his right foot, and slammed a shot on the turn past Schmeichel. He has been unstoppable tonight.

9.40pm BST

Michail Antonio seals victory with a superb goal!

9.39pm BST

79 min West Ham, who were briefly unnerved by Tielemans’ goal, have started to control the game again.

9.38pm BST

78 min Bowen plays this one short to Benrahma, whose cross clears everyone in the middle.

9.37pm BST

77 min Coufal’s cross is shinned over his own by by Soyuncu, which means yet another corner for West Ham...

9.36pm BST

75 min Bowen’s deep corner is headed down dangerously by Dawson and booted away by Soyuncu. West Ham keep the ball alive until Rice stands up a deep cross that is nutted wide by Dawson. It was only a half chance.

9.34pm BST

74 min Tielemans’ goal has altered the mood, and for the first time since Perez’s red card Leicester look like they fancy their chances.

9.31pm BST

71 min Ricardo is booked for a late tackle on Cresswell.

9.31pm BST

Maddison’s cross from the left bobbled across the area to Tielemans, whose stinging shot was blocked brilliantly by Cresswell. The ball rebounded to Tielemans, who poked it past Fabianski. There was a VAR check for handball, but it hit Tielemans on the chest so the goal stands.

9.30pm BST

Erm, about that testimonial atmosphere.

9.29pm BST

69 min It’s all West Ham. Their players and fans are having so much fun; there’s almost a testimonial atmosphere around the ground.

9.28pm BST

67 min Bowen’s corner is headed wide of the near post by the flying Dawson. A half chance at best.

9.27pm BST

66 min It’s worth remembering that Leicester are without six defenders - Evans, Justin, Fofana, Bertrand, Vestergaard and Castagne (only fit enough for the bench) - because of injury or Covid. There’s nothing to worry about, they’ve just had a bad night.

9.25pm BST

64 min A change for Leicester: Patson Daka makes his Premier League debut, replacing Harvey Barnes. That means a switch to a 4-3-2 formation.

9.24pm BST

64 min The resulting corner is headed up in the air and drops onto the left foot of Cresswell, who leathers a volley over the bar from 15 yards. That was a good chance, certianly for him.

9.23pm BST

63 min: Fine save from Schmeichel! Antonio, who has had a barnstorming game, almost gets the goal he deserves. He started the move himself, robbing Tielemans in midfield and fizzing a pass into Benrahma. He waited and then returned the ball to Antonio, who cracked a low shot from 25 yards that would have sneaked in the corner but for Schmeichel’s touch.

9.22pm BST

60 min “You’d think that with all the ink that footballers have nowadays,” says Niall Mullen, “they could find some space on their forearms for a tattoo that reads ‘Never play a blind back pass’.”

9.21pm BST

58 min After a slowish start to the game, West Ham have been quite outstanding - their intensity, tactical awareness and counter-attacking have been too much for Leicester. The red card has made it a more comfortable night, but even before that West Ham had the game under control.

9.18pm BST

Caglar Soyuncu has had a shocker. He played a blind backpass to Schmeichel that was intercepted by the alert Antonio. He drew Schmeichel, looked up and picked out Benrahma, who sidefooted the ball past Amartey on the line.

9.17pm BST

Game over.

9.16pm BST

55 min West Ham appeal unsuccessfully for a penalty when Benrahma goes over after a challenge from Ricardo. It certainly wasn’t a foul; it might have been a dive, though he probably just stumbled.

9.15pm BST

53 min Barnes surges into the West Ham area, away from a couple of defenders, and is about to shoot when Coufal comes on the blind side to poke the ball behindfor a corner.

9.14pm BST

52 min: Chance for West Ham! Fornals curls a deep cross to Antonio, whose powerful header forces Schmeichel to leap and push it away. That’s a good save, though Antonio’s header was probably too close to him.

9.11pm BST

50 min Soucek misses a half chance, stabbing over on the run after a lovely flick from Bowen. West Ham are dominating possession at the start of the second half. Leicester have switched to a 4-4-1 formation, with Maddison on the right. I suppose their plan is to stay in the game for as long as possible and then switch to 4-3-2 by bringing Iheanacho or Daka on.

9.08pm BST

47 min “The foul looked awful, but Perez was knocked off-balance and in trying to stay on his feet he was unable to get his head up,” says Simon. “Probably never saw Fournals. I think that that should have been a mitigating factor.”

Personally I think he did see him - but even if he didn’t, I’m not sure that matters. It looked to me like a split-second misjudgement, probably caused by his irritation at being knocked off balance by Cresswell.

9.05pm BST

46 min Peep peep! Leicester begin the second half.

8.58pm BST

VAR I don’t know how to break this to you, but it’s been really good so far this season. The Perez red card was handled very smoothly.

8.53pm BST

Half-time entertainment

8.52pm BST

Peep peep! West Ham lead deservedly after a smart, counter-attacking performance in the first half at the London Stadium. Pablo Fornals scored a fine goal and was then tackled dangerously by Ayoze Perez, who was sent off after a VAR check. Leicester had a lot of the ball, particularly before Perez’s red card, but struggled to get Jamie Vardy in the game.

8.48pm BST

45+2 min The corner is headed away by Vardy.

8.48pm BST

45+2 min Four minutes of added time. Bowen’s inswinging free-kick is headed behind for a corner by Vardy, who has barely touched the ball in this first half.

8.47pm BST

45+1 min “I am sorry,” says Mary Waltz, “but you can’t do that to someone’s leg and not get a red. That foot stomp would have made any flamenco dancer proud.”

8.46pm BST

45 min Bowen stands up a deep cross that clears Ricardo and is miscontrolled by Antonio eight yards from goal. He must have been unsighted, because that looked a great chance.

8.45pm BST

44 min Antonio’s snapshot is blocked by Amartey. Leicester really need half-time here.

8.44pm BST

42 min I suspect Perez’s tackle was reckless rather than malicious. Not that it matters - he used excessive force and it was a clear red card.

8.41pm BST

40 min Leicester’s players are very unhappy, with Schmeichel leading the protests, but that was a really dangerous tackle from Perez. He was off balance, yes, but he was also miles away from the ball and plunged his studs into Fornals’ calf. It was a potential leg-breaker.

8.40pm BST

39 min: VAR check Michael Oliver is going to look at the monitor. He’ll be sent off here.

8.40pm BST

38 min Perez plunges his studs into the side of Fornals’ leg. The referee Michael Oliver gave nothing, but this could easily be a red card.

8.38pm BST

37 min Leicester’s centre backs, Soyuncu and Amartey, have both had over 60 touches in the game. Nobody else on either side has had more than 35.

8.37pm BST

35 min Bowen harasses Soyuncu into conceding a corner. He takes it himself, hanging an inviting ball up at the far post. Dawson and Ogbonna both go for it, along with a few Leicester defenders, and the ball bounces just wide. I think that came off Dawson’s head, though it’s hard to be sure as there were four or five players jumping for it.

8.35pm BST

34 min West Ham did a similar number on Leicester last season, beating them 3-0 and 3-2 despite having less than 35 per cent possession in both games.

8.34pm BST

33 min Ricardo feeds a sharp pass into Maddison in the area. He flicks it classily behind him to Perez, who screws a cross shot well wide.

8.32pm BST

30 min And now a chance at the other end. Perez finds a bit of space in a very congested penalty area and plays a short pass to Ricardo, who slips and slices his shot wide of the near post. That was Leicester’s first attempt on goal; West Ham have had six.

8.31pm BST

29 min Soucek almost makes it 2-0! Leicester are dominating posession but West Ham look such a threat when they do attack. Fornals, on the right, hammered an excellent cross towards Soucek at the near post. He got between Soyuncu and Ndidi but powered a header just wide.

8.28pm BST

The goal was all the work of Fornals and Benrahma, the two men who changed positions from last week’s game. Fornals, found between the lines by Bowen, waved a pass out to Benrahma on the left and kept running. Benrahma looked up and guided a cross back towards Fornals, who arrived late in the area and steered a first-time shot into the far corner. That’s a lovely goal.

8.26pm BST

Pablo Fornals gives West Ham the lead with a terrific goal!

8.25pm BST

24 min Soucek’s well-struck shot from the edge of the area is blocked by Ndidi.

8.24pm BST

23 min Perez turns Benrahma smoothly, 40 yards from goal, and slides a through ball towards Vardy. The last Ogbonna stretches to make a crucial interception. Leicester look really good in the middle third of the pitch, but they are yet to create anything of note.

8.22pm BST

22 min Ricardo plays a good ball down the right to Perez, whose cross on the half-turn is too close to Fabianski.

8.20pm BST

19 min Antonio wins a corner off Ricardo, allowing West Ham’s big men to runmble forward. Coufal’s inswinger is headed away at the near post.

8.19pm BST

18 min Barnes plays a wall pass with Tielemans and slips Rice on the left of the area, but Dawson comes across to clear. Barnes and Maddison look right in the mood, as does Antonio at the other end.

8.17pm BST

16 min Antonio wrestles Ndidi off the ball on the halfway line and heads straight for goal. Soyuncu backpedals, caught in the headlights, and Antonio gets to within 25 yards of goal before blasting well wide.

8.16pm BST

16 min The referee Michael Oliver has already let two or three challenges go that would have brought free-kicks last season. Another couple of weeks and this will be happening.

8.15pm BST

15 min Coufal makes an important interception to stop Maddison’s imaginative pass reaching Barnes (I think) down the left.

8.14pm BST

14 min Coufal’s deep cross is cleared by Ricardo, but only as far as Rice, 25 yards out. He collects the loose ball and welts it high over the bar.

8.13pm BST

11 min Antonio looks very sharp whenever West Ham counter-attack. It’s an intriguing game, though not yet a particularly exciting one.

8.10pm BST

9 min Leicester have had 72 per cent possession so far.

8.07pm BST

6 min A loose ball falls nicely for Benrahma, who whips a curler towards goal from 25 yards. Schmeichel makes a comfortable save. Benrahma has actually started on the left, with Fornals playing as the No10, presumably because of his superior defensive ability.

8.06pm BST

5 min Leicester have made a really confident start, passing the ball with a bit of swagger. West Ham won’t mind playing on the counter-attack, mind.

8.04pm BST

2 min Antonio charges thrillingly away from Ndidi and Soyuncu, but a promising attack falls down when he stabs an errant pass towards Bowen.

8.02pm BST

1 min Bowen loses the ball in a dangerous area, allowing Maddison to slide a pass into the area for Barnes. His cross is blocked at the near post by Dawson.

8.01pm BST

1 min Peep peep! West Ham, in claret and blue, kick off from right to left. Leicester are in their mint away kit. Featuring an authentic and distinctive design, their new shirt’s soft and lightweight fabric is finished with moisture-absorbing AEROREADY technology, keeping them dry on the pitch or when worn as their everyday style.

8.00pm BST

It’s a muggy evening in east London, and the West Ham supporters are making a decent racket.

7.52pm BST

Some more pre-match reading

In case you missed it, the new Serie A season started with fifty shades of drama and entertainment.

7.33pm BST

“Evenin,” says Dean Kinsella. “I’m a bit surprised that Iheanacho has started the season as a bench-warmer. He had a fairly spectacular second half of last season.”

I guess there are two reasons – the return of Harvey Barnes and all the defensive injuries, both of which make it harder to play 3-4-1-2. When they play one up, it’s always going to be Vardy. I suspect that, once he has more centre-backs available, Brendan Rodgers will switch between 3-4-1-2 and 4-2-3-1.

7.30pm BST

Pre-match reading

7.04pm BST

Both teams are unchanged, next. Timothy Castagne, who fractured an eye socket during Euro 2020, is back on the Leicester bench.

West Ham (4-2-3-1) Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma; Antonio.
Substitutes: Areola, Diop, Fredericks, Johnson, Baptiste, Lanzini, Noble, Coventry, Yarmolenko.

7.00pm BST

Hello and welcome to live coverage of West Ham v Leicester from the London Stadium. It’s wrong to say these two teams, who finished sixth and fifth last season, were the best of the rest. Actually, they were the rest of the best. If we’re going to celebrate and capitalise the Big Six, then we should give due credit when other sides inconvenience that particular cabal - especially as West Ham and Leicester were both only one win away from qualifying from the Champions League.

Their task now is to do it again, or in Leicester’s case to stay the course a bit longer. They have finished fifth in each of the last two seasons, having been in the top four for most of the season. But whether they manage that or not, they have enough good things in place to hang around the upper echelons of the Premier League and threaten the whole BS concept.

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Published on August 23, 2021 14:15

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